High Representative of the EU foreign policy and security chief Josep Borrell has proposed that the bloc suspend political dialogue with Israel, citing possible human rights violations during the Gaza war, Reuters reported, citing BTA, citing four diplomats and a letter seen by the agency. .
In a letter sent last night to EU foreign ministers ahead of their meeting this Monday, Borrell cited “serious concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza” and states that “so far these concerns have not been sufficiently addressed by Israel”.
Political dialogue is embedded in a wider agreement on EU-Israel relations, including wide-ranging trade ties, which has been in force since June 2000.
„Given the above considerations, I will propose that the EU invoke the human rights clause to suspend political dialogue with Israel”, Borrell wrote.
Stopping the dialogue would have to be approved by all 27 EU member states, which diplomats say is highly unlikely. Several countries objected after a senior EU official briefed ambassadors in Brussels about the proposal last night, three of the diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Borrell's proposal is intended to send a strong signal of concern about Israel's conduct during the war, one of the diplomats said. It will be discussed at the meeting of foreign ministers, the last one he will chair before the end of his five-year term.
Last week, the United Nations human rights office said nearly 70 percent of the deaths it verified during the war were women and children, and condemned what it called a systematic violation of the basic principles of international humanitarian law.
Israel said it categorically rejected the report. The Israeli military said its actions were “in accordance with the principles of distinction and proportionality and were preceded by a careful assessment of the potential for harm to the civilian population”.
The EU is struggling to find a strong unified position on the war in Gaza, which was sparked by attacks by Palestinian militants from “Hamas” against Israel on October 7 last year, Reuters notes. The bloc called on “Hamas” to release all Israeli hostages and for both countries to abide by international law.
Some EU countries, such as the Czech Republic and Hungary, are staunch supporters of Israel, while others, such as Spain and Ireland, emphasize their support for the Palestinians.
One of the diplomats stated that among the ambassadors there was “surprise“ from the “lack of process and preparation” in relation to Borel's proposal. His actions leave the EU “more divided than ever”, the diplomat added.